Goris - Գորիս - Armenia - Prowincja Sjunik - Skalne Miasto
Goris - Գորիս - Armenia - Prowincja Sjunik - Skalne Miasto
Riding the Longest Cableway in the World - The Wings of Tatev in Armenia (Guinness World Records)
Wings of Tatev is a 5.7 km cableway between Halidzor and the Tatev monastery in the Syunik province of Armenia. It is the longest reversible aerial tramway built in one section only and is officially recorded in the Guinness World Records book on 23 October 2010. The video is recorded while departing from the Tatev monastery on 23 August, 2012. The scenery depicts the Vorotan river gorge with the naturally formed bridge.
Tatev - Harzhis, May, Syunik province, Armenia.
An excursion from Tatev to Harzhis. Crossing Vorotan River gorge and passing by a 13th c. bridge, ruins of Qertser village, the tomb of the Alan King, the Lake Harzhis, ruins of Old Harzhis village.
An earlier visit to the area:
Armenia - A Polish Group visiting Armenia & Karabakh (Spring 2014)
A POLISH GROUP VISITING ARMENIA & KARABAKH (SPRING 2014)
Some of the highlights of this trip, following the order of the sequences: a duduk playing at Garni Temple, the Armenian brandy degustation at the Ararat Brandy Factory in Yerevan, visiting the Khor Virap Monastery at the border with the Turkey, visiting We Are Our Mountains monument near Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh, visiting the Tatev and Noravank monasteries, a birthday party in the local Noravank restaurant, and finally, being a part of an amazing soulful performance at the ruins of Zvartnots Temple (Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, April-May, 2014)
The oldest surviving building on the territory of Armenia, the 1st century Garni Pagan Temple was built by the Armenian King Tiridates with the money he received after visiting Emperor Nero in Rome, and was dedicated to Sun God Mithra.
The Armenian wind instrument duduk is considered the most “Armenian” of all folk instruments, because of its origins and its ability to express the soul of the Armenian people.
Ararat Brandy Factory is the leading enterprise for the production of the world renowned Armenian brandy.
The Khor Virap Monastery is located a few hundred meters from the border with Turkey, on the banks of the river Araks, right at the foot of the majestic Mt. Ararat. Khor Virap is one of the most popular destinations in Armenia, primarily because it is where the St. Gregory the Illuminator, the future head of the Armenian Apostolic Church was imprisoned here for 13 years.
We Are Our Mountains monument is widely regarded as a symbol of Karabakh’s identity. Made of volcanic tufa, it depicts an old man and woman hewn from rock, representing the mountain people of Karabakh.
Built on a fairy tale natural fortress of rock on the edge of the Vorotan Canyon, the 9th century Tatev Monastery is one of the most spectacular and impressive places in Armenia.
The 14th century Noravank Monastery is the masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture, and it was a major religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia, closely connected with many of the local seats of learning.
The 7th century Zvartnots Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), was destroyed by an earthquake in 930 AD, and was lost to history until its discovery in the early 20th century. The Armenian and Arab historians alike marveled at the beauty of Zvartnots, calling it one of the most beautiful buildings ever built.
Phoenix Tour invites you to explore the best destinations, journeys and experiences for Armenia and around the region.
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Episode 11 - Armenia - Alaverdi, Areni, Goris & Etchmiadzin / 365 days off - Travel around the world
ARMENIA: ALAVERDI, DILIJAN, ARENI, GORIS AND ETCHMIADZIN
Travelling on our own to all corners of Armenia was definitely a great experience.From a cultural point of view, we did stop 25 times to visit monasteries, churches and historical sites.
Our 3 favorites were:
Noravank, on a hill at the end of its canyon, it really had a Grand Canyon feel
Marmashen, at the bottom of a lushy green valley, a very peaceful atmosphere and a great site for a picnic.
The Noratus Cemetery, a field of Khachkars, close to Lake Sevan, strolling amongst the cross-stones and their unique carvings let us see one of Armenia’s identities.
From a human point of view, the last 10 days were absolutely fantastic! We met Olga, Irina & Stepan in Alaverdi, Davit and his sisters in Areni, Arthur, Sonna and their lovely children in Etchmiadzin. We had a great time with all of them including the best local and fresh meals we had so far.
If you are around instead of taking day tours from Yerevan, you really should rent a car to explore the country and spend time with people in the different provinces.
WE DID SPECIFICALLY ENJOY
The Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, we had a guided tour by Anna & Anoush, 2 young adults from the Alaverdi English Club (see Best Kept Secret Tip section for details).
Goshavank, another Monastery, we were welcomed by a young priest who saw us looking for frescoes and carvings described in the Bradt guide. Unfortunately he could only speak a few words of english but one of his friend was there and helped with the translation calling another friend on his mobile! The visit took quite some time and we were moved by the priest trying to pass on his passion for his church.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Iris B&B in Alaverdi, the best homestay in the Lori region. We even got interviewed by the Armenian TV during our stay. They were filming a documentary about the B&B in the country.
Areni Wine Art in Areni, Davit and his family are doing huge efforts to drag tourists in the village. They organize hiking trips, organic meals including traditional Armenian barbeque in the “tonir“, dancing and cooking lessons or anything you would request from them.
Artson B&B in Etchmiadzin, Arthur and Sonna’s goal is to make you feel at home and they’re pretty good at it! All the family is eager to exchange with you about the country, travelling and Armenian history. You may be lucky enough to attend a private concert given by their 2nd daughter, Hasmik, who is studying vocal art in College.
RESTAURANTS
As stated before do not even bother looking for restaurants while in homestays. All of them will gladly prepare you fresh local food at unbeatable fares.
BEST KEPT SECRET TIP
The English Club in Alaverdi, is a NGO trying to improve the economic situation teaching english to anyone interested in the village. They are really doing a great job and we liked very much spending some time with its members. They are arranging day hikes and several guided tours to the historical sites of the province. We enjoyed the guided tours at Sanahin and Haghpat very much. The young guides gave us insights about the local history that a common guide book would never tell. Do not hesitate to contact them when in the region to get your private guided tour!
To all the English Club Members, thank you so much for your warm welcome during our visit to the Club, keep up the good work and hope to come back soon!
Devil's Bridge- Armenia!
A video of a tour organized by Keshishian Travel & Tourism to Devil's Bridge in Armenia!
ARMENIAN CULTURE
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church and is one of the most ancient Christian communities.Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD.
Noravank (meaning new monastery) is a 13th century monastery, located 122 km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Darichay river, nearby the city of Yeghegnadzor, Armenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery.The monastic complex includes the church of S. Karapet, S. Grigor chapel with a vaulted hall, and the church of S. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). Ruins of various civil buildings and khachkars are found both inside and outside of the compound walls. Noravank was the residence of the Orbelian princes.
The Monastery of Tatev is a 9th century Armenian monastery located in the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southern Armenia, not far from city of Goris and 280km away from Yerevan. It stands on a plateau on the edge of the deep gorge of the Vorotan River. It became the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the region as a centre for economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity.
Garni is a temple complex located in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, situated approximately 32 km southeast from Yerevan.The first traces of human occupation date back to the 3rd millennium BC and are concentrated in an easily defensible terrain at one of the bends of the Azat river. In the 8th century BC the area was conquered by the Urartian king Argishti I. The first literary testimony to the existence of a fortress on the spur crowning the site of Garni comes from the Roman historian Tacitus and dates from the middle of the 1st century AD.
Carahunge or Karahundj, Zorakarer is 3, 500 years older than England's Stonehenge and 3, 000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. The total area of the observatory is 7 hectares. According to the scientist's findings, a temple consisting of 40 stones built in honor of the Armenians' main God, Ari, meaning the Sun, is situated in the central part of Carahunge. Besides the temple, it had a large and developed observatory, and also a university that makes up the temple's wings.
Geghard is another incredible ancient Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Though the monastery has been around since before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. The monastery is located literally at the end of the road. From here you walk up a path which has a few vendors of souvenirs and snacks. (try the sweet sujukh, sweet lavash and gata if you have never tasted them before). You then reach the entrance to the compound which is surrounded by high walls on three sides and the mountain on the fourth. Inside, you can enter the churches which are interconnected.
An architectural monument, XVII century., The monastery -- the fortress, situated on a hill near the village of Vedi, Ararat region Pokr. In the old days there was a historical city of Artashat, one of the ancient capitals of Armenia. Instead of the now defunct fortress-monastery, there was a royal prison.
The Church of S.Astvatsatsin (Mother of God) and the smaller Church of S.Arakelots (Holy Apostles, later S.Karapet) are both located on a peninsula which was once an island in Lake Sevan (approx. coord. 40-35/ 45-00). According to an inscription on the south wall of the Church of S.Arakelots, the monastery was founded in 874 AD and it is attributed to Princess Mariam, the wife of Prince Vasak of Kapur and the daughter of the Bagratuni King Asot. For several centuries thereafter it remained an important spiritual center and was a pilgrimage site for thousands of visitors from all parts of Armenia.
About 4 km east of Agit, on a hill the monastery of Vorotnavanq is located, which was partially rebuilt at the end of the XX century. The most ancient structure of the complex, St. Stepanos church dates back to 1000 year. In 1007 to the south-east of it St. Karapet church was built, which was severely damaged by the earthquake in 1931. Until recently, it was semi-decidable, presenting a striking example of the genius of Armenian architects.
MyWay. Armenia. 2016. 13 Areni-Khor Virap-Dvin-Geghard-Yerevan (Арени-Хор Вирап-Двин-Гегард-Ереван)
Travel by car. Armenia.
The road Areni - Khor Virap - Dvin - Geghard - Garni - Yerevan (Дорога Арени - Хор Вирап - Двин - Гегард - Гарни - Ереван)
My videos on the map: